THE STATE: Tough to watch, but well worth the effort

There has been a lot of talk and speculation as to how this drama was going to be received. Some were under the impression after watching episode one, that this hard hitting and at times, graphic four part drama would somehow... glamourise ISIS?

The State

By Andy Simon @AndySimon55

Once again; Channel 4 are right up there, when it comes to gripping, thought provoking, watchable telly, and their latest big one, The State, is no exception.

There has been a lot of talk and speculation as to how this drama was going to be received. Some were under the impression after watching episode one, that this hard hitting and at times, graphic four part drama would somehow... glamourise ISIS?

Well; you couldn't be more wrong.

Yes; ISIS are indeed completely mad, and we in the west would be very unwise to underestimate their current threat, even by just a little. But this view of the notorious Islamic State was not all this powerful and well written drama was about.

It's primary objective in my view, was to show Islamic State in a sharply realistic way, based on extensive research by writer and director Peter Kosminsky. The whole story is based on this.

Episode one of this four part drama follows four individuals and one rather confused child as they make their journey from the relative safety of the United Kingdom to the Turkish/Syrian border thus finally turning their backs forever on their past lives.

The trick here by Kosminsky was to humanise these characters from the start by not focusing at all on the various influences which led to them being radicalized in the first place, nor to depicting these characters as mad jihadi monsters, but focusing instead on their own personal perception of their new life, and of the grim harsh realities, this caliphate, slowly reveals to them.

To my mind; it was very cleverly done.
It was gripping telly.

From the first scenes of welcome, euphoria, brotherhood, sisterhood and bonding, amplified by their distorted religious ideology, it was easy to see how the appeal and attraction this caliphate had on those who were found to be disillusioned or wanting something better to that which they had, back at home.

The reality of course could not be further from their minds at this point. But as you go through episodes two, three and four, the true horror of their environment becomes clear, and in sharp detail.

Thankfully though, we didn't see any beheadings but we got pretty darn close. Nor too were their any rape scenes, or human butchering, or indeed anything that ISIS are famous for.

There was however just enough cruelty, public punishment, foot beatings, amputations and torture, sex slave purchasing and general oppression of women in there to leave the viewer who it is assumed to have kept up to press on middle-east news in no doubt whatsoever, as to what life in a country controlled by the Islamic State, really is all about.

I have to say the scene at the hospital, was hard to watch.

I'm not going to delve too much into the story because quite simply, I want you (those of you who have not yet done so) to watch it. It's hard to watch but it's compelling viewing.

It's brilliantly acted and very skilfully written and directed.

In summing up, you could walk away thinking that possibly, deep down, all Muslims are like ISIS. But you'd be very wrong.

Thankfully; the vast majority of Muslims worldwide are a peaceful lot. And if this had not already been clearly established by the many peace loving Muslims themselves, then I would not be here writing this review.

What this hard hitting drama will succeed (hopefully) in doing, is to bring about conversation and debate in the hope that a way will be found to stop this dreadful abhorrent and utterly inhuman ideology, from ever rising again.

Sadly for the present; just like the Third Reich 70 odd years ago, ISIS too have left their mark for those who will come after them to find, and to carry on crusading on behalf of the crazy ideology ISIS left behind, and follow the even crazier god they believed in.

With the recent terror attacks in Europe and here in the UK, it is all too clear the ISIS threat is not going to abate any time soon. The thing is, as it can be for some, all too easy to simply watch something like The State, and come away stereotyping all Muslims.

All too easy to listen to that voice of fear and doubt, which then fuels prejudice and persecution whilst ignoring that equally loud voice of calm, truth and reason. I have absolutely no idea as to what the future holds, but I do know however, not all Muslims have the same ideology ISIS does.

When I look around me, and see the Muslim communities I live close to very concerned, sad, frustrated, sometimes angry, not only at ISIS for what they have done, but also for how they can all too often be unjustifiably portrayed by public opinion, as being just as evil as ISIS, it saddens me.

This must not continue.
Because it simply isn't true.

What this powerful drama has shown me, that it was not just how horrible ISIS is, something which I'm pretty certain most of us already knew, this brilliantly written drama also showed me the horror of a terrible cult from a human perspective, engaged and experienced, by five fictional characters, created for a powerful drama, based on extensive research, concerning real lives, real situations, and real and utterly terrible events.

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About

After ten years in Hollywood, Kevin returned to London to work for the Daily Mirror in a number of executive roles, including showbusiness editor and features editor. Keen to get back to writing, he became the Mirror's film and theatre critic. And in 2006 transferred to the Sunday Mirror as TV columnist. The rest is history. His last column appeared on February 21st, 2016. By an extraordinary coincidence he launched this wonderful website on the same day.
A familiar face on telly, Kevin is also a seasoned broadcaster. He is the TV critic for Channel 5's The Wright Stuff, on which his popular Talking Telly slot is aired every Friday. He is a regular contributor to Radio 5's Afternoon Edition Television Club. And he reviews the newspapers on Sky News' breakfast programme Sunrise with Eamonn Holmes.